Our application tips

avitea.deNow you're poring over your application documents and scouring the Internet for tips and helpful phrases? Creating application documents can be a real challenge. How do you build a cover letter? What should you keep in mind when creating a resume? And how do you make your application stand out? With our application tips, your application will certainly not end up in the (digital) wastebasket. Writing an application - made easy.

Current situation: shortage of personnel on the labor market facilitates applications

The applicant receives support from an unusual place: the shortage of personnel on the labor market means that the requirements for applications are often lowered more and more. Often a cover letter is no longer necessary and so-called "one-click applications" are becoming more and more established - we, too, no longer require extensive documents and are happy if you simply contact us. Nevertheless, we are happy to support you with your perfect application - if you want to submit an all-encompassing application - with the following tips.  

What belongs in the application documents?

A complete application usually includes a cover sheet, a cover letter, a resume, and certificates, testimonials, or other references and work samples. In the case of written applications - more precisely, those sent in by mail - the cover letter lies loose on the folder. For digital applications - which, after all, are now almost exclusively requested by employers - you can dispense with the cover sheet and sort your documents in the order cover letter, resume, attachments.

Cover letter

The cover letter gives you the opportunity to introduce yourself personally, highlight your strengths and skills, and explain why you are suitable for the position. Very important: It is essential to avoid prefabricated samples from the Internet. Instead, think of the cover letter as your own short portrait. This means: as individual as possible and without the typical empty phrases.

Cover Letter Tips:

• Creativity pays off: Refrain from introductory sentences such as "I hereby apply...", but instead introduce yourself very briefly. How did you hear about the job and what do you like about the company?
• Emphasize your own skills: Also describe why exactly you are the perfect candidate for the advertised position.
• Attach examples: Use examples from your past to underscore your skills.
• Brevity is the key: The cover letter should be no longer than one page.
• Salary expectation and starting date: At the end of the cover letter you should state when you would be available for the job. If you were asked to state a salary requirement in the job advertisement, this should also be mentioned here.

Resume

Together with the cover letter, the resume forms the heart of every application. For most recruiters, the resume is the most important document. It provides them with an orderly and quick overview of the stages the applicant has already covered. When designing your resume, you should therefore pay attention to clarity. There is no place for information that is too personal. Instead, show objectively what experience you bring to the table.

Resume Tips:

• Organize your resume: You can achieve clarity primarily by dividing your resume into blocks or sections: Personal data, work experience, studies/school, voluntary work, further education, additional qualifications-.
• Personal data: Start with a short section about your personal data: Name, address and date of birth are quite sufficient here.
• Arrange chronologically: Then start with the last position you worked in and arrange their stations chronologically.
• Beginning your career? No problem. The following applies to you: Your school career is at the top. Supplement with practical experience, if any, in the form of internships or volunteer work.
• Additional qualifications: Here, make sure that qualifications from continuing education, hobbies, or a volunteer position match the job you are applying for. You don't have to list everything here, but often the additional qualifications serve as a conversation starter or topic giver in the interview.
• Unemployment: Don't worry about gaps in your resume! However, have a comprehensible reason ready in case you are asked about it in the job interview.

Attachments & Testimonials

The attachments to an application help recruiters to better understand the applicant's stages. In addition, the attached certificates provide information about how suitable the applicants are for the advertised position. It is therefore important to ensure that the attachments are complete.

Tips for certificates:

• Does everything fit together? Compare your attachments with your resume: Can you attach a testimonial or certificate for all the stations in your resume? If not, try again to get a reference from the respective position.
• The following certificates should be included in the appendix: last school report, vocational school report, journeyman's certificate, employer's reference or interim reference, study certificate or doctorate certificate (for degrees).